"It is a real accomplishment to have these chicks hatch in captivity, and we're happy to have them," said Dr. Pilar Fish, director of veterinary medicine. "They really do represent their species, and every chick is important when you have an endangered species such as the black-finned penguin."

The new additions bring the facility's African penguin colony population to 18.

The species has been declared endangered by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service. Commercial fishing, destruction of their habitat, pollution and other factors are to blame.

The penguins live off the southern coast of Africa and are smaller than Emperor penguins in Antarctica.

Photos: Baby penguins make debut at National Aviary

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A newborn pair of endangered African penguins made their public debut at the National Aviary in Pittsburgh on Thursday.

HE FACES A LIST OF CHARGES INCLUDING FLEEING AND ELUDING POLICE AND RECKLESS DRIVING. PRESENTS DELIVERED AT PITTSBURGH'S NATIONAL AVIARY. A NEWBORN PAIR OF AFRICAN PENGUINS. THE BABIES MADE THEIR DEBUT THIS MORNING. THE MALE AND FEMALE CHICKS WERE BORN TO MOM, BETTY, AND DAD, SIDNEY, WHO IS NAMED AFTER PENGUIN SIDNEY CROSBY. IT IS A REAL ACCOMPLISHMENT TO HAVE THESE CHICKS HATCHED IN CAPTIVITY, AND WE'RE HAPPY THAT WE HAVE THEM. THEY REALLY DO REPRESENT THEIR SPECIES, AND EVERY CHICK IS IMPORTANT WHEN YOU HAVE SUCH AN ENDANGERED SPECIES SUCH AS THE BLACK-FOOTED PENGUIN. THE NEW ADDITIONS BRING THE FACILITY'S AFRICAN PENGUIN